Amethi: Amid chants of ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’, Rahul holds mega roadshow, files nomination

Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by his mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi and brother-in-law Robert Vadra. Priyanka’s two children were also present in the Collectorate

Amethi: Amid chants of ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’, Rahul holds mega roadshow, files nomination
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Biswajeet Banerjee

Among chants of “Chowkidar chor hai” and “Rahul Gandhi zindabad”, the national president of Congress Rahul Gandhi led an impressive roadshow before he filed nomination from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday for the fourth time in a row.

Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by his mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and his brother-in law Robert Vadra. Priyanka’s two children were also present in the Collectorate when Rahul filed nomination.

Last week Rahul Gandhi had filed nomination from Wayanad seat in Kerala.

After filling nomination, Rahul told media persons that the Supreme Court has vindicated Congress’s stand that ‘Chowkidar chor hai’.

Thousands of party workers accompanied Rahul and his family members in a massive road show. Carrying party flags and dancing to the drum beats, the jubilant workers looked confident of Rahul’s victory. “Treat it just a victory procession. No political party can match the charisma of Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.  This constituency is Gandhi family’s bastion. They enjoy an emotional bond with this area,” Rajesh Prajapati, a Congress worker said.

As the cavalcade crawled through the crowd of enthusiastic workers Rahul and Priyanka waved at people. People climbed on the vantage points to have a glimpse of the leaders. Some showered flowers petals as the makeshift truck carrying the brother-sister duo crawled through the city roads.

Ram Shankar, 49, waved a Congress flag as the Rahul’s cavalcade reached a market tri-junction. “Here comes our next Prime Minister, who will end the problems poor of this country are facing,” he said waving the flag tied at the end of a heavy metal rod. “Mind my words. Congress will form the next government and our dear Neta (leader) will be the next PM of India,” he added.

As the cavalcade reached near the Collectorate, people jostled to have a glimpse of Rahul Gandhi.  This angered Narain Dubey, who was having tea at the roadside Tea shop and shouted at a group of young people to behave properly.

Sipping tea from the cup he uttered some words against Congress and many angry eyes at once turned towards him. His comment was a clear indication that he was a BJP sympathiser. One of the youth turned around and and responded by shouting “Chowkidar Chor Hai” – watchman is a thief – the slogan Rahul Gandhi coined to highlight the scam in the purchase of Rafale aircrafts. The Congress believes that Prime Minister Modi has surreptitiously supported his businessman friend Anil Ambani by making him a partner in this deal. In a jolt to Modi government, India’s top court on Wednesday agreed to review its December order on the controversial Rafale deal and dismissed the government’s ‘preliminary’ objections.

Driving around Amethi and adjoining areas, one can easily come across supporters of both the Congress and the BJP, and both of them are quite vocal. The decision of Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad in Kerala along with Amethi is also a debatable point among them.

At a roadside tea shop, the discussion among half a dozen people hovered around Rahul’s prospect of winning election from Amethi. “It will not be a difficult seat for Rahul. People may question his decision (to contest from Kerala) but will ultimately vote for him. They are hurt at Rahul’s decision and sure will understand the political compulsion,” Rohit Saini said.

Surendra Tiwari, an elderly person who had previously tried to intervene a couple of times coughed and raised his hand. Everyone looked at him. “In 1999, Sonia Gandhi had contested election from Amethi and Bellary. At that time too, people had said that Sonia will lose from Amethi. She won from both the constituencies. Similarly, Rahul Gandhi will win election from both the constituencies.” he said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

There was a silence for a minute or two which was broken by the noise of a motorcycle passing by. The pillion was carrying the Congress party flag. When he saw this small gathering of people, he shouted Chowkidar (watchman) and the driver of the motorcycle responded with `Chor hai’ (is thief)!

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